The JCC Early Learning Center, Wayland will hold open houses for parents of toddlers and preschool age children on Thursday, January 22 (10-11am), Thursday, February 26 (10-11am) and Thursday, March 19 (10-11am). Parents can meet the educators and the school’s director, tour the classrooms and register for the fall 2015 school year. The school accepts children ages 15 months to 5 years and is >>

The JCC Early Learning Center, Wayland will hold open houses for parents of toddlers and preschool age children on Thursday, January 22 (10-11am), Thursday, February 26 (10-11am) and Thursday, March 19 (10-11am). Parents can meet the educators and the school’s director, tour the classrooms and register for the fall 2015 school year. The school accepts children ages 15 months to 5 years and is one of five schools in the Boston area operated by the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston. Program offers part day with full week and part week options, school year and summer programs as well as early drop-off, extended day and afternoon enrichment programs. The JCC Early Learning Center is located at 141 Boston Post Road. Everyone welcome. The JCC proudly welcomes interfaith families and people of all abilities, cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations. For more information, contact 508-358-5331, wayland-elc@jccgb.org or visit bostonjcc.org/earlylearning. <<

The JCC Early Learning Center, Brookline/Brighton will hold open houses for parents of toddlers and preschool age children on Tuesday, January 6 (5:30-7pm), Wednesday, February 11 (10-11:30am) and Wednesday, March 11 (5-6:30pm). Parents can meet the educators and school’s director, tour the classrooms and register for the fall 2015 school year. The school accepts children ages 15 months to 5 >>

The JCC Early Learning Center, Brookline/Brighton will hold open houses for parents of toddlers and preschool age children on Tuesday, January 6 (5:30-7pm), Wednesday, February 11 (10-11:30am) and Wednesday, March 11 (5-6:30pm). Parents can meet the educators and school’s director, tour the classrooms and register for the fall 2015 school year. The school accepts children ages 15 months to 5 years old and is one of five schools in the Boston area operated by the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston. The school offers child-centered curriculum driven by children’s interests, flexible scheduling with early drop-off and extended day, swim lessons for 4 and 5 year olds, on-site playground and in-house child development specialist. Summer program also offered. The JCC Early Learning Center is located at 50 Sutherland Road in Brighton and is open to the entire community. For more information, contact 617-278-2950, brookline-elc@jccgb.org or visit bostonjcc.org/earlylearning. <<

The Bernice B. Godine JCC Early Learning Center, Newton preschool at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC (333 Nahanton Street) in Newton will hold open houses for parents of infants, toddlers and preschool age children on Thursday, January 8 (9-10am), Thursday, February 12 (5-6pm) and Thursday, March 12 (9-10am). Parents can meet the educators and the school’s director, tour the classrooms and register >>

The Bernice B. Godine JCC Early Learning Center, Newton preschool at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC (333 Nahanton Street) in Newton will hold open houses for parents of infants, toddlers and preschool age children on Thursday, January 8 (9-10am), Thursday, February 12 (5-6pm) and Thursday, March 12 (9-10am). Parents can meet the educators and the school’s director, tour the classrooms and register for the fall 2015 school year. Operated by the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston, the school accepts children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Options include flexible hours and days with full week or part week options, full year and school year programs, early drop-off and extended day, swim lessons and optional in-house enrichment classes. The school is open to the entire community. No charge for open house. For more information, contact 617-558-6420 or newton-elc@jccgb.org or visit bostonjcc.org/earlylearning. <<

Thank you for raising awareness about the need for foster parents in Massachusetts. As an organization that also provides Intensive Foster Care, The Home for Little Wanderers has found that many people are unaware of the different types of foster care. We encourage anyone who is interested to learn more. Every child deserves a safe and loving home.

This topic has occupied my mind for years! Thank you for starting a movement that parents so desperately need! It is difficult for young parents to NOT get caught up in the overscheduled lifestyle. No well-meaning parent wants their child to miss any opportunity for healthy enrichment, but too much is counterproductive! Although my children are teenagers now, I would have LOVED to hear your words of wisdom when my family craved downtime!

Big Joe had visited our kids' preschool day care center (KinderCare) from time to time. We had such fond memories of his performances that we hired him for our daughter's 6th birthday party. Kids just love him--lots and lots of giggles and smiles!